Automat

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Let's make a deal on this email thing

Automat --

I like sending you emails on Saturdays about as much as you probably like receiving them.

But I'm doing it because the stakes this year are so incredibly high. Your help could be part of what makes or breaks races for Democrats across the country. No joke. That's the difference your support can make.

So let's make a deal:

You pitch in $3, or really whatever you can, before our critical FEC fundraising deadline tonight to help those Democrats out:

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by June 30, 2012. You may enter by contributing to the Obama Victory Fund 2012 here or click here to enter without contributing. Four winners will receive the following prize package: a round-trip ticket for winner from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to Washington, DC; hotel accommodations; and lunch with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800.00). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington DC 20003.

PAID FOR BY OBAMA VICTORY FUND 2012, A JOINT FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE AUTHORIZED BY OBAMA FOR AMERICA, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, AND THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CO, FL, IA, NV, NH, NC, OH, PA, VA, AND WI.

Contributions or gifts to Obama Victory Fund 2012 are not tax deductible.

The first $5,000 of a contribution to OVF 2012 will be allocated to Obama for America (with the first $2,500 designated for the primary election, and the next $2,500 for the general election). The next $30,800 of a contribution will be allocated to the Democratic National Committee. Any additional amounts from a contributor will be divided among the State Democratic Party Committees as follows, up to $10,000 per committee and subject to the biennial aggregate limits: FL (17%); OH (16%); PA (13%); CO (11%); NC (11%); VA (11%); NV (6%); WI (6%); IA (5%); and NH (4%). A contributor may designate his or her contribution for a particular participant. The allocation formula above may change if following it would result in an excessive contribution. Contributions will be used in connection with a Federal election.

If you've been paying attention to the news, you may have heard some critics saying that Democrats just aren't fired up this year or that Republicans have more momentum going into this FEC deadline.

But you and I know that's simply not the case. Democrats are ready to fight -- we couldn't be more excited to ensure that our President is re-elected and that Democrats across the country are able to keep fighting for progress.

Let's not give those critics a chance to say "I told you so." We need you to help us blow through expectations and show everyone just how motivated Democrats are.

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by June 30, 2012. You may enter by contributing to the Obama Victory Fund 2012 here or click here to enter without contributing. Four winners will receive the following prize package: a round-trip ticket for winner from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to Washington, DC; hotel accommodations; and lunch with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800.00). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington DC 20003.

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Friday, June 29, 2012

This is personal

Automat --

In 2007, I heard the words no woman wants to hear: "You have breast cancer."

I remember sitting in the hospital after my surgery, waiting for a test to come back, wondering how many more birthdays I would get with my kids -- how many more anniversaries I'd get with my husband. I don't care how strong you are: It's a terrifying moment.

The Supreme Court decision to uphold Obamacare is a big deal for millions of Americans like me.

But the fight to protect it is far from over.

If elected, Mitt Romney has vowed to repeal it on Day One, and I believe him.

This fight is personal to me. I want to do everything I can to protect health care for every American. And I need your help.

We have an important fundraising deadline tomorrow at midnight, and the Republican Party will be judging our ability to keep fighting by how much we raise before that deadline.

When Mitt Romney talks about getting rid of Obamacare, let's take a second to talk about what that would really mean:

It means children with pre-existing conditions would once again be denied coverage, some women would lose access to critical preventive care, and millions of seniors would lose the benefits that help pay for life-saving medicine.

This law is far too important to too many Americans for Republicans to throw it out.

Give Democrats the resources we need to win and protect this historic achievement -- and the lives of millions of Americans. Donate $3 or more today:

An emotional moment in the Oval Office

Yesterday I shared an emotional moment with Barack in the Oval Office after he learned health reform had been upheld.

Barack Obama is a man who refused to give up. No matter how politically unpopular it was, he knew it was the right thing to do.

Tomorrow is the biggest fundraising deadline of this election so far. Romney and the Republicans may outraise us again -- you can bet they'll have a whole slew of special interests who want to see Romney make good on his promise to repeal Obamacare on Day One.

But they can't beat us if we pull together. Our grassroots movement is unstoppable when we put our minds to it.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Not mincing my words

You know why I like the Democratic Party? I'll tell you: It's a big tent, and it always has been.

It's a place for working people and the middle class. For women, veterans, and small business owners. And new Americans, too. Everyone belongs here.

As we head into Saturday's important FEC fundraising deadline, you should be a part of it, too. Pitch in whatever you can, even as little as $3, to re-elect President Obama and help Democrats in tough local fights this year.

And know that you're playing a part in moving this nation forward -- for decades and decades to come.

Thanks,

Donna

Donna Brazile Vice Chair Democratic National Committee

P.S. -- Any donation you make today will also automatically enter you for the chance to fly out to D.C. and talk shop over lunch with one of my favorite Dems, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Trust me, it'll be fun: https://my.democrats.org/Support-Democrats

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by June 30, 2012. You may enter by contributing to the Obama Victory Fund 2012 here or click here to enter without contributing. Four winners will receive the following prize package: a round-trip ticket for winner from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to Washington, DC; hotel accommodations; and lunch with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800.00). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington DC 20003.

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I will be outspent

I will be the first president in modern history to be outspent in his re-election campaign, if things continue as they have so far.

I'm not just talking about the super PACs and anonymous outside groups -- I'm talking about the Romney campaign itself. Those outside groups just add even more to the underlying problem.

The Romney campaign raises more than we do, and the math isn't hard to understand: Through the primaries, we raised almost three-quarters of our money from donors giving less than $1,000, while Mitt Romney's campaign raised more than three-quarters of its money from individuals giving $1,000 or more.

And, again, that's not including the massive outside spending by super PACs and front groups funneling up to an additional billion dollars into ads trashing me, you, and everything we believe in.

We can be outspent and still win -- but we can't be outspent 10 to 1 and still win.

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by June 26, 2012. You may enter by contributing to Obama Victory Fund 2012 here or click here to enter without contributing. Three winners will each receive the following prize package: round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination to be determined by the Sponsor; hotel accommodations; and dinner with President Obama on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.

We are entering a stage of this election year when critical decisions are made. And more likely than not, these decisions -- about the issues and races to focus on -- will determine who wins in November, from congressional elections to the presidential race.

How we move forward as Democrats is in your hands. This party belongs to you.

It's on all of us to determine the future, hone our strengths, and identify areas for improvement.

Together, we're facing a big moment in American politics -- and the work we put in now will make or break our plans to take back the House, keep the Senate, and win another four years for President Obama.

Having you join our 2012 effort is important to us. So we want to sweeten the deal.

By donating today, not only will you become a contributing member this year, but you'll also be automatically entered to be one of four Democrats we'll fly to Washington D.C. to meet our Chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, for lunch -- airfare and hotel are on us.

We're expanding state operations across the country and making decisions that will affect the outcome of races at every level. Your donation will give us the ability to send more resources to battleground states -- that means more staff and supplies where it's most critical.

And that's why we need you to join the ranks of thousands of other Democrats across the country to stop Republicans from being able to push their right wing agenda in the fall.

Donate $3 or whatever you can today to become a contributing member of the Democratic National Committee in 2012 and to be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip to D.C. for lunch with our Chair, Rep. Wasserman Schultz:

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by June 30, 2012. You may enter by contributing to the Obama Victory Fund 2012 here or click here to enter without contributing. Four winners will receive the following prize package: a round-trip ticket for winner from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to Washington, DC; hotel accommodations; and lunch with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800.00). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington DC 20003.

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Monday, June 18, 2012

We need to stop him

Automat --

Sheldon Adelson recently donated $10 million of his personal fortune to a super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's campaign, making him the biggest single donor to a candidate-specific super PAC and biggest donor to outside spending groups in the history of the United States.

Three upsetting things I want to say about this before I tell you that we shouldn't get upset:

-- He's said that he's willing to go as high as $100 million to defeat Barack Obama. -- This kind of money could change the outcome of an election. -- For Sheldon Adelson, who's worth more than $20 billion, this donation is about the equivalent of $40 to a middle-class family.

This isn't the way our country should work. Electing someone president of the United States should be a decision that we make as a nation. The outcome shouldn't be affected by one, or even several, extraordinarily wealthy men.

Sheldon Adelson knows this is wrong, too:

"I'm against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections," he said. "But as long as it's doable I'm going to do it."

Unless we stop him. Because we absolutely can stop him.

We have more supporters on the ground, more energy and more voices. We just need to make sure that everyone gets involved, no one's left behind, and we don't let this election -- or any election across the country -- come down to just a few wealthy guys.

Can you donate $3 or more today to support President Obama and Democrats?

Friday, June 15, 2012

Fwd: Wonderful news

Automat --

Today, I am reminded of why I'm working so hard to re-elect President Obama. His decision to make our immigration system more fair and more just for nearly one million young immigrants is nothing short of historic.

I hope you'll read the message below from Katherine Archuleta, National Political Director on the Obama campaign, and then join me and other supporters in standing with the President on immigration reform:

Thanks to our president, this nation's immigration policy just became more fair and more just.

Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to ensure that young, undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children by their parents, and who have followed the law since then, will be able to request temporary relief from deportation proceedings -- and will be allowed to apply for authorization to work in this country.

They're a group that we've come to call the "Dreamers" -- and today, the country they love is telling them they should be able to dream as big as they want.

For years, the President has called on Congress to make common-sense fixes to our broken immigration system. They haven't. So he did.

The hundreds of thousands of people who this policy might help are people who call the United States of America home. They study in our schools, play in our parks, and pledge allegiance to our flag. Some of them have served in our Armed Forces. They've started businesses; they've started families. They are Americans in every way but on paper.

Congress still has time to pass the DREAM Act. And if they do, policies like today's will no longer be necessary.

We are not giving up on this issue.

Stand up and support the President today -- and help send the message that this first big step must be followed by a real, permanent solution from Congress:

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Did you hear the President today?

Automat --

This is a make-or-break moment for middle-class Americans -- and anyone who cares needs to watch the speech President Obama made in Cleveland today.

In this election, we face a choice between two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy. The path Mitt Romney and his Republican allies want to take us down is exactly the one that led us to the 2008 crisis. We have to reject those policies and embrace the President's vision of growing the economy, not from the top down, but from the middle class out.

The choice couldn't be clearer on the issues most important to ordinary Americans:

- Better Education: We need to invest in good teachers and help more students go to college and get job training -- not pack kids into classrooms and slash scholarships.

- More, Cleaner Energy: We need to invest in promising new sources of energy to create a market for innovation and good jobs of the future -- not go back to relying on foreign oil.

- Leading Through Innovation: We need to invest in our best scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs so they innovate here -- not cede new ideas to countries like China and India.

- Job-Creating Infrastructure: We need roads, bridges, ports, and broadband technology that attract businesses that will create jobs here -- not more pet projects and bridges to nowhere.

- Fair, Simple Tax Reform: We need to reward businesses that create jobs here instead of rewarding outsourcing, and must ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share again -- not sacrifice investments critical to the middle class.

This economic crisis didn't start in 2008. For more than a decade before, we knew things weren't working the way they should. We saw costs for everything from health care to education rising faster than wages. Good-paying, middle-class jobs were becoming harder to find, as more and more companies moved production overseas.

The other side's solution was the same then as it is now -- massive tax cuts benefiting mainly the wealthy, rolling back regulations on risky behavior for Wall Street and banks, and slashes to services that the middle class depends on, like Medicare, education, and job training. A decade ago, Bill Clinton left a record surplus. But the last administration put two wars, two huge tax cuts, and the Medicare prescription program on a credit card, and handed President Obama a trillion dollar deficit and a raging economic crisis.

Incredibly, Romney and his allies want to go back to those same, disastrous policies: budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy and free rein for Wall Street to write its own rules. We tried Mitt Romney's failed formula for most of the last decade. It benefitted a few, but exploded the deficit, crashed our economy, and devastated the middle class. It didn't grow our economy, create good jobs, or pay down our debt -- it did the opposite. And it won't work this time around either: Independent economists confirm that Romney's plan wouldn't cut the deficit, or even create a single job now -- in fact, it could slow growth and push us back into recession.

Today the President laid out a very different vision, one where everyone -- no matter who you are, where you're from, or how big your bank account is -- pitches in together to rebuild the foundations of our country and economy. Instead of another $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, Obama believes we should pay down our debt and invest in the things we know we need to grow the economy and strengthen the middle class. That means restoring and upgrading our crumbling infrastructure, investing in education, paying down our debt responsibly, and yes, asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more. This approach requires tough choices and shared sacrifice -- exactly how we built the American economy in the first place.

As supporters, it's on us to get this message out there.

Watch the President's speech, and share it with your friends, family -- heck, share it with everyone you know. There's even a helpful printout you can download and pass around:

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by June 26, 2012. You may enter by contributing to Obama Victory Fund 2012 here or click here to enter without contributing. Three winners will each receive the following prize package: round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination to be determined by the Sponsor; hotel accommodations; and dinner with President Obama on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.

Saturday, June 09, 2012

They outraised us

Automat --

This week we learned Mitt Romney and the Republican Party outraised us in May, bringing in $76 million to our $60 million. And that deficit is even worse once you include the millions of dollars a few wealthy special interests and billionaires are pouring into super PACs and outside groups.

For anyone wondering how one billionaire can influence an election, here's a perfect case study: Sheldon Adelson.

This casino owner's spending is a textbook example of the Republican battle plan. Here are just a few of his "investments" this year:

-- Singlehandedly keeping Newt Gingrich's presidential bid alive for months by pouring $20 million of his family's money into a pro-Newt super PAC.

-- Donating $5 million to Speaker John Boehner's super PAC, aimed at protecting the GOP majority in the House, and targeting vulnerable Democrats.

-- And just this week, after meeting with Romney last month, pledging $1 million to a Romney- affiliated super PAC.

They say one person can change the world, but I'm pretty sure this isn't what they meant.

As Democrats, we aren't counting on wealthy patrons to buy this election. We rely on millions of Americans stepping up to grow this organization and provide the resources to open field offices, organize on the ground, and push back against Adelson, the Koch brothers, and all the rest of these billionaires trying to use their money to control our future.

We're counting on people like you -- and that means we need everyone to step up if we're going to win.

Mitt Romney ran for governor promising to use his experience as a corporate buyout specialist to create jobs. Instead, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation during his four year term.

He promised to bring down the state's debt. It ballooned by more than $2.6 billion. Romney left Massachusetts taxpayers with more debt per person than any state in the nation.

And, despite promising not to raise taxes, he raised fees on the middle class and small businesses more than 1,000 times. By the end of his term, the tax burden in Massachusetts had increased $1,200 per person.

As Democrats, we need to get the truth about Romney's record out in front of voters, well before November, so they can compare his claims and the facts, side by side.

We need voters to understand that Romney Economics is the last thing our country needs -- it didn't work for Massachusetts then, and it won't work for America now.

We're counting on Democrats like you to get the word out.

So take a look at this short video introducing Romney's real history, read up on the record he's running on, and then share it far and wide:

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by June 4, 2012. You may enter by contributing to Sponsor here or click here to enter without contributing. One winner will receive the following prize package: round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination to be determined by the Sponsor; hotel accommodations; dinner with President Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker on a date to be determined by the Sponsor; and tickets for winner and a guest to a concert featuring a performance by Mariah Carey on a date and at a venue to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $1,900.00). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.